On the same day the mayor of London questioned Barack Obama’s commitment to the United Kingdom’s ideals by citing a debunked story that the White House jettisoned the bust of Winston Churchill, the president affirmed his admiration for the country’s iconic wartime prime minister. And he reminded the world that Churchill’s image is well-enshrined at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

U.S. President Barack Obama stepped forcefully into the Brexit debate Friday, warning the U.K. that a vote to leave the European Union would send it to “the back of the queue” when it comes to a future trade deal with America.

“The United Kingdom is at its best when it is leading a strong Europe,” Obama told a news conference alongside Prime Minister David Cameron, quoting the poet John Donne with the words “no man is an island — even an island as beautiful as this.”

LONDON — U.S. President Barack Obama told the U.K. ahead of its June referendum on membership of the European Union that British and American security and prosperity are best served by the country remaining in the bloc.

“The United Kingdom is at its best when it is leading a strong Europe,” he told a news conference alongside Prime Minister David Cameron, quoting the poet John Donne with the words “no man is an island — even an island as beautiful as this.”

“Americans want Britain’s influence to grow including within Europe,” said Obama.

Obama talks again about his concern over the fragile cessation of hostilities in Syria, and scepticism of Vladimir Putin’s motivations for intervening in the region. “We’re not going to solve the overall problem unless we can get this political track moving.”

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LONDON — U.S. President Barack Obama dismissed on Friday the idea promoted by Brexit supporters that the U.K. would, if it left the European Union, be able to negotiate a quick trade deal with America.

Britain would “go to the back of the queue,” Obama told a joint news conference with Prime Minister David Cameron, where the president set out his reasons for wanting the U.K. to remain in the bloc in its June 23 referendum on EU membership.

A bilateral agreement “isn’t going to happen any time soon because our focus is on negotiating a trade agreement with a big bloc,” Obama said, referring to the planned U.S.-EU free trade deal known as TTIP.

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Obama is asked whether the decades-old special relationship would be damaged by a Brexit — and if so, how?

The Queen and Winston Churchill feature heavily in Obama’s fawning response about the special relationship and its inseparability. “Nothing is going to impact the emotional affinity between our two countries. That’s solid and that will continue.”

Cameron artfully dodges a question about Boris Johnson’s controversial “part-Kenyan” comment on President Obama in an Sun op-ed this morning. “Questions for Boris are questions for Boris.”

“I want Britain to be as strong as possible. The stronger Britain is, the stronger the special relationship is.”

“I think the migration crisis amplifies a debate that’s taking place not just in Europe but in the U.S. as well. At a time of globalization, there is a temptation to want to pull up the drawbridge. We see that played out in the U.S. presidential debates. That debate is accelerated in Europe.

“I’m confident the ties that bind Europe together are much stronger than the forces trying to pull the apart. Europe has undergone a tremendous pell of prosperity maybe unmatched in the history of the world.”

Obama takes a question from ITV about the ‘controversial’ timing of his intervention in the Brexit debate, and whether he should keep his views to himself. “This is a decision for the people of the U.K. I’m not here to fix any voters. I’m offering my opinion. You shouldn’t be afraid to hear an argument being made. That’s not a threat. It should enhance the debate.”

He stresses the importance of the U.K.’s membership of the EU and that an isolated Britain might find itself at the “back of the queue” regarding a potential trade agreement if Brexit happens.

Barack Obama: “Let me be clear, this is something the British voters need to decide for themselves. But, speaking honestly, this matter is of deep interest to the United States. The U.S. wants a strong U.K as a partner. The U.K. is at its best when it leads the European Union.”

Obama talks up his relationship with “great friend” David Cameron, before listing some more of the countries’ recent shared achievements, and greatest challenges — particularly the continuing battle against ISIL. “We’ve got to stem the flow of foreign fighters into and out of Syria.”

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UK’s astronaut Tim Peake is presently on the International Space Station because the UK is in the EU and a member of the European Space Agency. In the spirit of venturing further, with companies like Deep Space Industries working to mine the asteroids, ESA is looking to build the Moon Village, a base on the lunar far side. British astronauts, British industry and British scientists will be active on the Moon and beyond together with the EU. President Obama should call Tim Peake and ask what he thinks about being a citizen of UK and of the EU with the opportunity to advance British interests in space. Will there be astronauts in the future for the UK if it is not part of Europe?